ANALYSIS / APPROACH / SOURCE / STRATEGY: GENERAL … · made any recommendation concerning sector specific-grants unlike the Thirteenth Finance Commission. The Finance Commission

1 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

“The significant problems we face can not be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." - Albert

Einstein

ANALYSIS / APPROACH / SOURCE / STRATEGY: GENERAL STUDIES PRE 2015 PAPER

- TEAM VISION IAS

• The analysis is based on premise that UPSC wants to identify aspirants with certain skills and aptitude required to function as a good

administrator. UPSC does not explicitly describe these skills so we infer them from Syllabus, Question Paper and feedback of experts and

students.

• This analysis is an attempt to quantify the subjective understanding and make explicit the implicit.

• We have inferred some conclusions from these stats but you are free to infer differently. Moreover independent/impartial thinking is one

of the qualities expected in administrators.

Q.N. Section Question

A

n

s

w

e

r

L

e

v

e

l

Nature Source Source

Type Explanation Motivation

1 Economy

'Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan

Yojana' has been launched for

(a) providing housing loan to

poor people at cheaper

interest rates.

(b) promoting women's Self-

Help Groups in backward areas

(c) promoting financial

C E CAA

http://www.thehin

du.com/news/reso

urces/president-

pranab-mukherjee-

speech-to-the-

joint-session-of-

parliament-full-

text/article692549

EN

PMJDY main objective is financial inclusion Constantly in

news. Major

initiative of the

New Govt.

VISION IAS ™ ... Inspiring Innovation

www.visionias.in www.visionias.wordpress.com


inclusion in the country

(d) providing financial help to

the marginalized communities.

8.ece

2 Economy

With reference to the

Fourteenth Finance

Commission, which of the

following statements is/are

correct?

1. It has increased the share of

States in the central divisible

pool from 32 percent to 42

percent.

2. It has made

recommendations concerning

sector-specific grants.

Select the correct answer using

the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

A M CA

ECONOMIC

SURVEY VOLUME 1

CHAPTER 10 PAGE

131

RM

The FFC has radically enhanced the share of the

states in the central divisible pool from the current

32 percent to 42 per cent which is the biggest ever

increase in vertical tax devolution. The FFC has not

made any recommendation concerning sector

specific-grants unlike the Thirteenth Finance

Commission.

The Finance

Commission is a

Constitutional

body and its

recommendatio

ns are very

important

3 Current

Affairs

The 'Fortaleza Declaration',

recently in the news, is related

to the affairs of

(a) ASEAN

(b) BRICS

(c) OECD

(d) WTO

B E CA

http://www.thehin

du.com/business/E

conomy/banking-

on-

brics/article622915

5.ece

EN

Fortaleza Declaration issued at the 6th BRICS Summit Fortaleza

Declaration

issued at the 6th

BRICS Summit

was constantly in

news

4 Economy

A decrease in tax to GDP ratio

of a country indicates which of

the following?

1. Slowing economic growth

rate

2. Less equitable distribution of

national income


the codes given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

D D FA

only for those with

deep interest in

economics refer

page 192 especially

-

http://www.oecd.o

rg/eco/growth/494

21421.pdf

EM

For the tax/GDP ratio to decrease either the tax

collection should decrease or GDP should increase.

Now considering the first statement if the GDP

collection might or might not necessarily increase

with a slow growth rate. Hence this option is ruled

out. Increase in indirect tax collection may lead to

less equality in income distribution but the same

cannot be said for increase in direct tax collection.

Hence, even this option can be ruled out.

in news

constantly -

http://www.the

hindubusinesslin

e.com/economy

/need-to-

increase-taxgdp-

ratio-to-over-20-

jayant-

sinha/article707

4267.ece


5 Geography

In the South Atlantic and

South-Eastern Pacific regions in

tropical latitudes, cyclone does

not originate. What is the

reason ?

(a) Sea surface temperatures

are low

(b) Inter-tropical Convergence

Zone seldom occurs

(c) Coriolis force is too weak

(d) Absence of land in those

regions

A D FA

NCERT

FUNDAMENTAL

GEOGRAPHY CH 10

PAGE 94

EM

Tropical cyclones originate and intensify over warm

tropical oceans. The conditions favourable for the

formation and intensification of tropical storms are:

(i) Large sea surface with temperature higher than

27° C; (ii) Presence of the Coriolis force; (iii) Small

variations in the vertical wind speed; (iv) A pre-

existing weak- low-pressure area or low-level-

cyclonic circulation; (v) Upper divergence above the

sea level system.

The most proximate reasons for the lack of activity in

the South Atlantic are sea surface temperatures that

tend to run a shade cooler than ideal for tropical

cyclone formation even in the southern summer,

climatologically high values of vertical wind shear

across that basin throughout the year, and a lack of

pre-existing centers of rotation (vorticity) in that

area.

Fundamental

6 Geography

Which one of the following

pairs of States of India

indicates the easternmost and

westernmost State ?

(a) Assam and Rajasthan

(b) Arunachal Pradesh and

Rajasthan

(c) Assam and Gujarat

(d) Arunachal Pradesh and

Gujarat

D

Ncert Class 11th

India Physical

Environment

Page 2

FM

The mainland of India, extends from

Kashmir in the north to Kanniyakumari in the

south and Arunachal Pradesh in the east to

Gujarat in the west.

Fundamental

question from

NCERT

7 Polity

Consider the following

statements regarding the

Directive Principles of State

Policy :

1. The Principles spell out of

the socio economic democracy

in the country.

2. The provisions contained in

these Principles are not

enforceable by any court.

Which of statements given

above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1and 2(d)Neither1nor2

C M F

Polity by

Laxmikant, pg 48

RR

The directive principles are meant for promoting the

ideal of social and economic democracy. However,

unlike the Fundamental Rights, the directives are

non-justiciable in nature, that is, they are not

enforceable by the courts for their violation.

Fundamental

question about

Directive

Principle of State

Policy


8 Economy

In the 'Index of Eight Core

Industries', which one of the

following is given the highest

weight?

(a) Coal production

(b) Electricity generation

(c) Fertilizer production

(d) Steel production

B D FA

A-42, Appendix

Economic Survey

EM

Core industries account for 38 % in IIP. Electricity

with 10.3% has the highest weight among core

industries viz. coal, fertilizer, electricity, crude oil,

natural gas, refinery product, steel, and cement.

The IIP provides

quick estimates

on the

performance of

key industrial

sectors.

9 Environment

Which of the following

National Parks is unique in

being a swamp with floating

vegetation that supports a rich

biodiversity?

(a) Bhitarkanika National Park

(b) Keibul Lamjao National Park

(c) Keoladeo Ghana National

Park

(d) Sultanpur National Park

B M F

http://www.necee

r.org.in/2011/05/k

eibul-lamjao-

national-park-for-

world_28.html

EN

Keibul Lamjao National is world's only floating

national park and last natural habitat of Manipur

Brow antlered deer - Sangai (Cervus eldi eldi). The

national park is characterized by many floating

decomposed plant materials locally called phumdis.

was in the news

- (June month)

http://www.the

hindu.com/sci-

tech/energy-

and-

environment/ma

nipur-to-

translocate-

critically-

endangered-

sangai-

deer/article7321

501.ece

10 Current

Affairs


statements is/are correct

regarding National Innovation

Foundation-India (NIF) ?

1. NIF is an autonomous body

of the Department of Science

and Technology under the

Central Government.

2. NIF is an initiative to

strengthen the highly advanced

scientific research in India's

premier scientific institutions in

collaboration with highly

advanced foreign scientific

institutions.



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

A M CAA

http://www.nif.org

.in/

EN

National Innovation Foundation-India is an

autonomous body of the Department of Science and

Technology, Government of India, based on the

Honey Bee Network philosophy,

which provides institutional support to grassroots

innovators and outstanding traditional knowledge

holders from the unorganized sector of the society.

So statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is

incorrect.

In news

http://www.the

hindu.com/sci-

tech/energy-

and-

environment/nat

ional-innovation-

foundation-and-

icar-join-

hands/article720

2164.ece

http://www.busi

ness-

standard.com/ar

ticle/companies/

how-india-plans-

to-turn-jugaad-

into-large-scale-

innovation-


(c) Both 1and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

115082500447_

1.html

closely

associated with

APJ Abdul Kalam

Azad

11 Environment

What can be the impact of

excessive/inappropriate use of

nitrogenous fertilizers in

agriculture ?

1. Proliferation of nitrogen-

fixing microorganisms in soil

can occur.

2. Increase in the acidity of soil

can take place.

3. Leaching of nitrate to the

ground water can occur.



(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

C M F

http://www.unep.

org/yearbook/201

4/PDF/chapt1.pdf

EN

Nitrogen fixing bacteria converts N2 to Ammonium

ion NH4+. with fertilizers already containing NH4

ions, there is no demand or need from plants for the

symbiotic association. further, we can certainly

assume that there is no positive correlation between

fertilizers and bacterium

12 Environment

With reference to the

International Union for

Conservation of Nature and

Natural Resource (IUCN) and

the Convention of International

Trade in Endangered Species of

Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),

which of the following

statements is/are correct ?

1. IUCN is an organ of the

United Nations and CITES is an

international agreement

between governments.

2. IUCN runs thousands of field

projects around the world to

better manage natural

environments.

3. CITES is legally binding on

B M CAA

http://www.iucn.o

rg/about/

EN

Founded in 1948 as the world’s first global

environmental organisation. IUCN supports scientific

research, manages field projects all over the world,

and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and

companies together to develop policy, laws and best

practice. IUCN is not an organ of UN. This eliminates

other 3 options.


the States that have joined it,

but this Conventional does not

take the place of national laws.



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

13 Economy

The Fair and Remunerative

Price (FRP) of surgarcane is

approved by the

(a) Cabinet Committee on

Economic Affairs.

(b) Commission for Agricultural

Costs and Prices.

(c) Directorate of Marketing

and Inspection, Ministry of

Agriculture

(d) Agricultural Produce Market

Committee

A M CAA

http://www.thehin

dubusinessline.co

m/economy/agri-

business/centre-

hikes-cane-fair-

price-by-

10quintal/article67

94388.ece

EN

FRP is approved by CCEA and recommended by CACP

14 Geography

What explains the eastward

flow of the equatorial counter-

current ?

(a) The Earth's rotation on its

axis

(b) Convergence of the two

equatorial currents

(c) Difference in salinity of

water

(d) Occurrence of the belt of

calm near the equator

D D FA

http://www.britan

nica.com/science/e

quatorial-

countercurrent

EM

The easterly Equatorial Counter-Current between

about 40 and 10

0 N may be explained as follows, The

overall effect of the Trade Winds is to drive water

towards the west, hut the flow is blocked by the land

masses along the western boundaries. As a result, in

equatorial regions the sea-surface slopes up towards

the west, causing an eastward horizontal pressure

gradient force. Because winds are light in the

Doldrums, water is able to flow down the horizontal

pressure gradient in a current that is contrary (i.e.

‘counter’) to the prevailing wind direction. The zone

of calm is the necessary and dominant factor here,

though other factors play their role as well.

15 Geography

Consider the following pairs:

Place of Pilgrimage - Location

1. Srisailam - Nallamala Hills

2. Omakareshwar-Satmala Hills

3. Pushkar - Mahadeo Hills

Which of the above pairs is/are

correctly matched ?

A M FA

EM

Srisailam is reputed for the shrine of Lord

Mallikarjuna on the flat top of Nallamala Hills

(Andhra Pradesh). Omkareshwar is situated on the

Mandhata hills in Vindhya Mountains of Madhya

pradesh. The Pushkar valley is formed between the

Aravalli hills.

Fundamental

question from

NCERT


(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

16 Modern

History

With reference to Rowlatt

Satyagraha, which of the


correct ?

1. The Rowlatt Act was based

on the recommendations of

the 'Sedition Committee'.

2. In Rowlatt Satyagraha,

Gandhiji tried to utilize the

Home Rule League.

3. Demonstrations against the

arrival of Simon Commission

coincided with Rowlatt

Satyagraha.



(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

B D FA

Can be deduced

from basic facts of

NCERT. Explicitly it

is mentioned in

https://cultural.ma

harashtra.gov.in/e

nglish/gazetteer/V

OL-

II/SATYAGRAHA_M

OVT_I.pdf EM

Statement 1 and 2 are correct. The events between

May 1916 to January 1919 give us the background of

the establishment of the Satyagraha Sabha in

Bombay under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

The newly started Home League was the leading

force in all these events, which prepared the ground

for the April Satyagraha. The Satyagraha Sabha was

organised with Mr. Gandhi as President, Mr.

Horniman as Vice-President, and the leading Home

Rulers on the Committee.

Simon Commission was dispatched to India in 1928

way after Rowlett Satyagraha.

17 Current

Affairs

Among the following, which

were frequently mentioned in

the news for the outbreak of

Ebola virus recently ?

(a) Syria and Jordan

(b) Guinea, Sierra Leone and

Liberia

(c) Philippines and Papua New

Guinea

(d) Jamaica, Haiti and Surinam

B E CAA

http://www.thehin

du.com/sci-

tech/health/ebola-

virus-disease-sets-

off-international-

concern/article628

8191.ece

EM

Other three options a, c and d contain countries of

middle east, SE Asia/Indian ocean region and Latin

America respectively. Hence, could be eliminated

easily.

18 Science and

Technology

With reference to 'fly ash'

produced by the power plants

using coal as fuel, which of the


correct ?

1. Fly ash can be used in the

production of bricks for

A M CAA

http://pmgsy.nic.in

/nrr74.asp

http://www.ntpc.c

o.in/ash-

download/1674/0/

fly-ash-cement-

concrete-

EN

Fly ash is used in the manufacture of building

materials and in construction activity, like

replacement of cement in concrete. It contains trace

levels of toxic elements (like e.g. arsenic, barium,

beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, thallium,

selenium, molybdenum and mercury)


building construction.

2. Fly ash can be used as a

replacement for some of the

Portland cement contents of

concrete.

3. Fly ash is made up of silicon

dioxide and calcium oxide only,

and does not contain any toxic

elements.



(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 3 only

%E2%80%93-

resource-high-

strength-and-

durability-

structure-lower-

cost

19 Environment

With reference to 'dugong', a

mammal found in India, which

of the following statements

is/are correct ?

1. It is a herbivorous marine

animal.

2. It is found along the entire

coast of India.

3. It is given legal protection

under Schedule I of the Wildlife

(Protection) Act, 1972.



(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 3 only

C M FCA

NCERT" India

Physical

Environment" std

XI pg 66

http://timesofindia

.indiatimes.com/h

ome/environment/

flora-

fauna/Dugongs-on-

brink-of-extinction-

poaching-

continues-in-

India/articleshow/

48037397.cms

EN

Feeding on sea grass, dugongs are found in sea grass

beds, sheltered waters, lagoons and bays. Fourteen

sea grass species are found in the marine waters in

the country of which 13 are found in the Gulf of

Mannar and Palk Bay areas. Dugongs had been

brought under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection

Act, the punishment for its poaching is imprisonment.

Was covered in

The Times of

India July month

2015

20 Modern

History

Who of the following was/were

economic critic/critics of

colonialism in India ?

1. Dadabhai Naoroji

2. G.Subramania Iyer

3. R.C. Dutt



(a) 1 only

D E F

Spectrum by Rajiv

Ahir pg 68

http://archive.indi

anexpress.com/ne

ws/why-this--

freedom--is-

false/780101/

EM

Dadabhai Naoroji, R. C. Dutt, Ranade, Gokhale, G.

Subramania Iyer, were among those who grounded

Indian nationalism firmly on the foundation of anti-

imperialism by highlighting economic critique of

colonialism.


(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

21 Current

Affairs


issues the 'Global Economic

Prospects's report periodically

?

(a) The Asian Development

Bank

(b) The European Bank for

Reconstruction and

Development

(c) The US Federal Reserve

Bank

(d) The World Bank

D E CAA

http://www.thehin

du.com/business/E

conomy/india-will-

catch-up-with-

chinas-growth-

rate-in-201617-

world-

bank/article67882

47.ece

EN

World Bank publish the 'Global Economic Prospect's

Report periodically

Important

publication of

World Bank and

has been in news

22 Economy

When the Reserve Bank of

India reduces the Statutory

Liquidity Ratio by 50 basis

points, which of the following

is likely to happen ?

(a) India's GDP growth rate

increases drastically

(b) Foreign Institutional

Investors may bring more

capital into our country

(c) Scheduled Commercial

Banks may cut their lending

rates.

(d) It may drastically reduce

the liquidity to the banking

system

C M CAA

http://www.thehin

du.com/business/E

conomy/rbi-cuts-

slr-to-provide-

liquidity/article685

3210.ece

EM /

EN

The SLR cut by the RBI is likely to give more elbow

room for banks to cut rates.

http://www.the

hindu.com/busin

ess/Economy/rbi

-cuts-slr-to-

provide-

liquidity/article6

853210.ece

23 Science and

Technology

With reference to the use of

nano technology in health

sector, which of the following

statements is/are correct ?

1. Targeted drug delivery is

made possible by

nanotechnology.

2. Nanotechnology can largely

contribute to gene therapy.


C M FA

http://www.thehin

dubusinessline.co

m/news/science/c

hemical-

technology-school-

develops-nano-

particles-for-drug-

delivery/article379

2262.ece?ref=relat

edNews

EN

Both are correct.




(c) Both 1and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

24 Economy

In India, markets in agricultural

products are regulated under

the

(a) Essential Commodities Act,

1955

(b) Agricultural Produce Market

Committee Act enacted by

States

(c) Agricultural Produce

(Grading and Marking) Act,

1937

(d) Food Products Order, 1956

and Meat and Food Products

Order, 1973

B M CAA

economic survey

2014-15 ch 8

EN

In India, markets in agricultural products are

regulated under the Agricultural Produce Market

Committee Act enacted by States.

Fundamental

question

25 Environment

Which one of the following is

the national aquatic animal of

India ?

(a) Saltwater crocodile

(b) Olive ridley turtle

(c) Gangetic dolphin

(d) Gharial

C E F

http://indianexpre

ss.com/article/indi

a/india-

others/counting-

dolphins-in-the-

ganga/ +also in

India Year book

EN

In news, also

fundamental

26 Modern

History

With reference to Congress

Socialist Party, consider the

following statements :

1. It advocated the boycott of

British goods and evasion of

taxes.

2. It wanted to establish the

dictatorship of proletariat.

3. It advocated separate

electorate for minorities and

oppressed classes.

Which of the statements given


(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) None

D D FA

Bipan Chandra Ch

24 Rise of the left

Wing

(Can be inferred by

reading whole

chapter)

EM

Important features were consistent and militant anti-

imperialism, anti-landlordism, the organization of

workers and peasants in trade unions and kisan

sabhas, the acceptance of a socialist vision of

independent India and of the socialist programme of

the economic and social transformation of society.

They were to give the Congress and the national

movement a socialist direction; and that to achieve

this objective they must organize the workers and

peasants in their class organizations, wage struggles

for their economic demands and make them the

social base of the national struggle. They preferred

methods adopted by Congress.

1st and 2nd statements can be related to radical

communism in India during 1920 to 40. 3rd

statement is also not related to CSP.


27 Polity


statements :

1. The Rajya Sabha has no

power either to reject or to

amend a Money Bill.

2. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote

on the Demands for Grants.

3. The Rajya Sabha cannot

discuss the Annual Financial

Statement.



(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

B E FA

Laxmikanth pg

283-286 CHAPTER

22 PARLIAMENT

EM

Statement 1 and 2 are right. 3rd statement is

incorrect as Budget can be discussed by Rajyasabha.

28 Modern

History

The Government of India Act of

1919 clearly defined

(a) The separation of power

between the judiciary and the

legislature.

(b) The jurisdiction of the

central and provincial

governments.

(c) The powers of the Secretary

of State for India and the

Viceroy

(d) None of the above

B M F

Laxmikanth pg

1.7(3rd edition)

EM

GOI Act,1919, relaxed the central control over the

provinces by demarcating and separating the central

and provincial subjects. The central and provincial

legislatures were authorised to make laws on their

respective list of subjects.

29 Current

Affairs

Which of the following brings

out the "Consumer Price Index

Number for Industrial Workers

?

(a) The Reserve Bank of India

(b) The Department of

Economic Affairs.

(c) The Labour Bureau

(d) The Department of

Personnel and Training

C M CAA

http://indianexpre

ss.com/article/busi

ness/business-

others/minimum-

wages-act-with-

eye-on-basic-

wage-rate-centre-

plans-

amendments/

http://www.thehin

dubusinessline.co

m/economy/policy

/govt-working-on-

EN

CPI(IW) is released by Labour Bureau. In news


proposal-to-raise-

minimum-

wages/article7526

740.ece

30 Science and

Technology

In the context of modern

scientific research, consider the

following statements about

'IceCube', a particle detector

located at South Pole, which

was recently in the news :

1. It is the world's largest

neutrino detector,

encompassing a cubic

kilometre of ice.

2. It is a powerful telescope to

search for dark matter.

3. It is buried deep in the ice.



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

D D CAA

http://www.thehin

du.com/sci-

tech/science/highe

nergy-neutrinos-

from-alien-

sources-

found/article53979

65.ece

https://icecube.wis

c.edu/ EN

IceCube is a particle detector at the South Pole that

records the interactions of a nearly massless

subatomic particle called the neutrino. IceCube

searches for neutrinos from the most violent

astrophysical sources: events like exploding stars,

gamma-ray bursts, and cataclysmic phenomena

involving black holes and neutron stars. The IceCube

telescope is a powerful tool to search for dark matter

and could reveal the physical processes associated

with the enigmatic origin of the highest energy

particles in nature. In addition, exploring the

background of neutrinos produced in the

atmosphere, IceCube studies the neutrinos

themselves; their energies far exceed those produced

by accelerator beams. IceCube is the world’s largest

neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometer of

ice. It is burried upto 2.5 Km of depth.

In news

31 Current

Affairs

The terms 'Agreement on

Agriculture', Agreement on the

Application of Sanitary and

Phytosanitary Measure' and

'Peace Clause' appear in the

news frequently in the context

of the affairs of the

(a) Food and Agriculture

Organization

(b) United Nations Framework

Conference on Climate Change

(c) World Trade Organization

(d) United Nations

Environment Programme

C E CAA

http://www.thehin

du.com/business/I

ndustry/india-

appeals-to-

dispute-

settlement-board-

over-import-of-us-

farm-

products/article68

27360.ece

http://www.thehin

du.com/news/nati

onal/european-

union-lifts-ban-on-

indian-

mangoes/article68

05864.ece

EN

1. In news

because of Trade

Facilitation

Agreement.

2. Recently, EU

lifted ban on

Indian Mangoes,

which were

earlier banned

due to

phytosanitary

measures


32 Science and

Technology

With reference to 'Near Field

Communication (NFC)

Technology', which of the


correct?

1. It is a contactless

communication technology

that uses electromagnetic

radio fields.

2. NFC is designed for use by

devices which can be at a

distance of even a metre from

each other.

3. NFC can use encryption

when sending sensitive

information.



(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

C M CAA

http://www.thehin

du.com/business/I

ndustry/icici-

launches-

nfcenabled-

payment-service-

tapnpay/article712

2328.ece

http://www.thehin

dubusinessline.co

m/money-and-

banking/rbi-

relaxes-2factor-

authentication-for-

payments-up-to-rs-

2000/article72059

74.ece

EN

Near field communication (NFC) is the set of

protocols that enables electronic devices to establish

radio communication with each other by touching

the devices together or bringing them into proximity

to a distance of typically 10cm or less. So only

statement 1 and 3 are correct.

In news

33 Current

Affairs

The area known as 'Golan

Heights' sometimes appears in

the news in the context of the

events related to

(a) Central Asia

(b) Middle East

(c) South-East Asia

(d) Central Africa

B M CA

http://www.thehin

du.com/news/inter

national/world/roc

kets-from-syria-

strike-golan-

heights-says-

israel/article68263

85.ece

EN

Golan Heights, is a hilly area overlooking the upper

Jordan River valley on the west. The area was part of

extreme southwestern Syria until 1967, when it came

under Israeli military occupation, and in December

1981 Israel unilaterally annexed the part of the Golan

it held.

Constantly in

news.

34 Economy

Convertibility of rupee implies

(a) being able to convert rupee

notes into gold

(b) allowing the value of rupee

to be fixed by market forces

(c) freely permitting the

conversion of rupee to other

currencies and vice versa.

(d) developing an international

market for currencies in India.

C M F

http://www.invest

opedia.com/terms

/c/convertibility.as

p

EM

The ease with which a country's currency can be

converted into another currency.

Fundamental


35 Medieval

History

Consider the following pairs :

Medieval Indian State

Present Region

1. Champaka

Central India

2. Durgara

Jammu

3. Kuluta

Malabar

Which of the above pairs is/are

correctly matched ?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 3 only

B D F

https://books.goog

le.co.in/books?id=

3btDw4S2FmYC&p

g=PA60&lpg=PA60

&dq=champa+durg

ara+kuluta&source

=bl&ots=RVMDD0

DSw-

&sig=PlQ49_AMpT

yS-

nssYUkeJwe0eFY&

hl=en&sa=X&ved=

0CCQQ6AEwAWoV

ChMI-

oD0voXGxwIVAlm

OCh2xNwwh#v=on

epage&q=champa

%20durgara%20kul

uta&f=false

EM

Champaka is modern day Chamba, Kuluta is Kullu and

Durgara is Jammu

36 Geography

Consider the following rivers :

1. Vamsadhara

2. Indravati

3. Pranahita

4. Pennar

Which of the above are

tributaries of Godavari ?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1, 2 and 4

(d) 2 and 3 only

D D FM

Ncert Class 11th

India Physical

Environment

Page 27

EM

The Penganga, the Indravati, the

Pranhita, and the Manjra are principal tributaries of

the Godavari .

37 Polity

When a bill is referred to a

joint sitting of both the Houses

of the Parliament, it has to be

passed by

(a) a simple majority of

members present and voting

(b) three-fourths majority of

members present and voting

(c) two-thirds majority of the

Houses

(d) absolute majority of the

A M F

Laxmikanth Pg

22.3-22.4

EM

The Joint Sitting is an extraordinary mechanism

provided in the Constitution to resolve a deadlock

between the two Houses over the passage of a bill.

(Art.108) is passed by a majority of the total number

of members of both the Houses present and voting in

the joint sitting.

http://www.the

hindu.com/news

/national/centre

-hints-at-joint-

session-route-

for-

bills/article6926

442.ece

http://timesofin

dia.indiatimes.co

m/india/Not-


Houses ruling-out-joint-

sitting-if-all-

options-on-land-

bill-fail-

Venkaiah/article

show/46696136.

cms

38 Environment


regions of India has a

combination of mangrove

forest, evergreen forest and

deciduous forest ?

(a) North Coastal Andhra

Pradesh

(b) South-West Bengal

(c) Southern Saurashtra

(d) Andaman and Nicobar

Islands

D FA

http://www.and.ni

c.in/andaman/flora

.php

EM

All three occur together in Andaman and Nicobar

islands only.

39 Culture


kingdoms were associated with

the life of the Buddha?

1. Avanti

2. Gandhara

3. Kosala

4. Magadha



(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4

(d) 3 and 4 only

D M FA

RM

Buddha traveled to Rajagaha, capital of Magadha, to

visit King Bimbisara. During this visit, Sariputta and

Maudgalyayana were converted by Assaji, one of the

first five disciples.

Buddha belonged to Shakya clan whose capital was

Kapilavastu, and who were later annexed by the

growing Kingdom of Kosala during the Buddha's

lifetime

40 Environment


associated with the issue of

control and phasing out of the

use of ozone-depleting

substances?

(a) Bretton Woods Conference

(b) Montreal Protocol

(c) Kyoto Protocol

(d) Nagoya Protocol

B E CA

NCERT

http://www.ncert.

nic.in/ncerts/l/lebo

116.pdf

EN

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the

Ozone Layer (a protocol to the Vienna Convention for

the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an international

treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing

out the production of numerous substances that are

responsible for ozone depletion.

Fundamental


41 Medieval

History

Consider the following:

The arrival of Babur into India

led to the

1. introduction of gunpowder

in the subcontinent

2. introduction of the arch and

dome in the region's

architecture

3. establishment of Timurid

dynasty in the region



(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

B D FA

NCERT Medieval

India XI( Satish

Chandra) Pg 174

RM

Gunpowder was known in India earlier than Babur's

rule. Babur was a descendant of Timurid dynasty or

clan of Turco-Mongol lineage, descended from the

warlord Timur and led to the establishment of

Timurid dynasty in the region.

42 Current

Affairs

The Government of India has

established NITI Aayog to

replace the

(a) Human Rights Commission

(b) Finance Commission

(c) Law Commission

(d) Planning Commission

D E CA

http://www.thehin

du.com/todays-

paper/niti-aayog-

is-new-policy-

body/article67467

99.ece

EN

NITI Ayog replaced Planning Commission. In news

frequently

43 Environment

What is the Rio+20 Conference,

often mentioned in the news?

(a) It is the United Nations

Conference on Sustainable

Development

(b) It is a Ministerial Meeting of

the World Trade Organization

(c) It is a Conference of the

Inter Government Panel on

Climate Change.

(d) It is a Conference of the

Member Countries of the

Convention on Biological

Diversity.

A E CA

https://sustainable

development.un.or

g/rio20

EN

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable

Development - or Rio+20 - took place in Rio de

Janeiro, Brazil on 20-22 June 2012. It resulted in a

focused political outcome document which contains

clear and practical measures for implementing

sustainable development.

Important due to

intense

negotiations on

climate change

and frequent

news item about

Paris Summit in

coming

December

44 Polity


statements :

1. The Executive Power of the

Union of India is vested in the

D M F

Polity M Laxmikant

4th edition Pg 220

http://www.newin

dianexpress.com/ci

EM

1st Statement is incorrect as All executive actions of

the Government of India are formally taken in the

name of President. Second statement is also

incorrect as the Cabinet secretary is the ex officio

Fundamental

and 2nd

statement in

news


Prime Minister.

2. The Prime Minister is the ex

Officio Chairman of the Civil

Services Board.



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1nor 2

ties/bengaluru/Civi

l-Services-Boards-

Constituted/2014/

03/04/article20895

85.ece

chairman of the civil service board.

45 Science and

Technology

The term 'Goldilocks Zone' is

often seen in the news in the

context of

(a) the limits of habitable zone

above the surface of the Earth

(b) regions inside the Earth

where shale gas is available

(c) search for the Earth-like

planets in outer space

(d) search for meteorites

containing precious metals

C M CA

http://www.thehin

du.com/sci-

tech/science/8-

new-planets-

found-in-

goldilocks-

zone/article676292

5.ece

EN

3rd option is correct. To be considered habitable,

exoplanets must orbit within a distance of their stars

in which liquid water can exist on the planet’s

surface, receiving about as much sunlight as Earth.

In News

46 Modern

History

Who of the following organized

a march on the Tanjore coast

to break the Salt Law in April

1930?

(a) V.O. Chidambaram Pillai

(b) C. Rajagopalachari

(c) K. Kamaraj

(d) Annie Besant

B M F

Spectrum page 168

RM

C. Rajagopalachari led Salt Disobedience march from

Tiruchirapally to Vedaranniyam ( off Tanjore coast)

47 Medieval

History

Who of the following founded

a new city on the south bank of

a tributary to river Krishna and

undertook to rule his new

kingdom as the agent of a deity

to whom all the land south of

the river Krishna was supposed

to belong ?

(a) Amoghavarsha I

(b) Ballala II

(c) Harihara I

(d) Prataparudra II

C D F

NCERT "Themes in

Indian History Part

II" pg 170

RM

Vijayanagara or “city of victory” was the name of

both a city and an empire. The empire was founded

in the fourteenth century. In its heyday it stretched

from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme

south of the peninsula, in the Krishna-Tungabhadra

doab. It was founded by Harihara and Bukka, in 1336.

In the memories of people living in the Krishna-

Tungabhadra doab, they remembered it as Hampi, a

name derived from that of the local mother goddess,

Pampadevi.


48 Modern

History


statements :

1. The first woman President of

the Indian National Congress

was Sarojini Naidu.

2. The first Muslim President of

the Indian National Congress

was Badruddin Tyabji.




(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

B M F

Spectrum pg 384

RM

Sarojini Naidu was first Indian woman president

while Annie Besant was first woman president

49 Environment


statements regarding 'Green

Climate Fund' is/are correct ?

1. It is intended to assist the

developing countries in

adaptation and mitigation

practices to counter climate

change.

2. It is founded under the aegis

of UNEP, OECD, Asian

Development Bank and World

Bank.




(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

A M CAA

Economic Survey

EM

The Fund is governed by the GCF Board. GCF is

currently structured into two themes—

mitigation and adaptation.

GCF is a fund within the framework of UNFCCC.

GCF is an

important

Financial

mechanism for

combating

Climate Change

50 Current

Affairs

Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace,

Disarmament and

Development for 2014 was

given to which one of the

following ?

(a) Bhabha Atomic Research

Centre

(b) Indian Institute of Science

(c) Indian Space Research

Organization (d) Tata Institute

of Fundamental Research.

C M CA

http://www.thehin

du.com/news/nati

onal/isro-chosen-

for-indira-gandhi-

prize-for-peace-

disarmament/articl

e6614424.ece

EN

A jury chaired by Vice-President Hamid Ansari chose

ISRO for the award, given to individuals or

organisations who promote international

development, a new international economic order or

make scientific discoveries for public good.

In news


51 Modern

History

With reference to the Cabinet

Mission, which of the following

statements is/are correct?

1. It recommended a federal

government.

2. It enlarged the powers of the

Indian courts.

3. It provided for more Indians

in the ICS.



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3

(d) None

A D FA

NCERT " Themes in

Indian History Part

III" pg 389

RM

The Cabinet Mission recommended a loose three-tier

confederation. India was to remain united. It was to

have a weak central government controlling only

foreign affairs, defence and communications with the

existing provincial assemblies being grouped into

three sections while electing the constituent

assembly: Section A for the Hindu majority provinces,

and Sections B and C for the existing provincial of the

north-west and the north-east (including Assam)

respectively. The sections or groups of provinces

would comprise

various regional units. They would have the power to

set up intermediate-level executives and legislatures

of their own.

Fundamental

52 Environment


National Parks has a climate

that varies from tropical to

subtropical, temperate and

arctic?

(a) Khangchendzonga National

Park

(b) Nandadevi National Park

(c) Neora Valley National Park

(d) Namdapha National Park

D D F

https://books.goog

le.co.in/books?id=J

YFmoOWfmX8C&q

=namdapha#v=sni

ppet&q=namdhap

a&f=false EM

53 Current

Affairs

Amnesty International is

(a) an agency of the United

Nations to help refugees of civil

wars

(b) a global Human Rights

Movement

(c) a non-governmental

voluntary organization to help

very poor people

(d) an inter-governmental

agency to cater to medical

emergencies in war-ravaged

regions

B E CAA

https://www.amne

sty.org.in/

EN

Amnesty International is a non-governmental

organisation focused on human rights.

In News

54 Culture

With reference to the art and

archaeological history of India,

which one among the following

B D F

NCERT

"Introduction to

Fine Arts Part I" pg

RM

Rock cut elephant at Dhauli dates back to 3rd century

BC.


was made earliest?

(a) Lingaraja Temple at

Bhubaneswar

(b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli

(c) Rock-cut Monuments

Mahabalipuram

(d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri

20 ,

55 Medieval

History

With reference to Indian

history, which of the following

is/are the essential element/

elements of the feudal system?

1. A very strong centralized

political authority a very weak

provincial or local political

authority

2. Emergence of administrative

structure based on control and

possession of land

3. Creation of lord-vassal

relationship between the

feudal lord and his overlord



(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

B D FA

https://books.goog

le.co.in/books?id=

2C7AOnBvu64C&p

g=PA246&dq=india

n+feudal+system&

hl=en&sa=X&ved=

0CCIQ6AEwAWoVC

hMI0pu2porGxwIV

wpCOCh2Rhw0t#v

=onepage&q=centr

al&f=false RR

Authority of the centre diminished as local/feudal

powers emerged

56 Current

Affairs

'BioCarbon Fund Initiative for

Sustainable Forest Landscapes'

is managed by the

(a) Asian Development Bank

(b) International Monetary

Fund

(c) United Nations Environment

Programme

(d) World Bank

D M CA

http://www.world

bank.org/en/news/

feature/2013/11/2

0/biocarbon-fund-

initiative-promote-

sustainable-forest-

landscapes

EN

It is an initiative by the World Bank. In news

57 Current

Affairs

India is member of which

among the following?

1. Asia-Pacific Economic

Cooperation

2. Association of South-East

B M CAA

http://dfat.gov.au/

international-

relations/regional-

architecture/eas/p

ages/east-asia-

EM

Membership of the EAS comprises the ten ASEAN

countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,

Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines, Singapore,

Thailand, Vietnam), Australia, China, India, Japan,

New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United

Important due to

India Act East

Policy


Asian Nations

3. East Asia Summit



(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) India is a member of none

of them

summit-eas.aspx States and Russia. The 18 EAS member countries

represent collectively 55 per cent of the world’s

population and account for around 55 per cent of

global GDP

58 Geography

In India, the steel production

industry requires the import of

(a) saltpetre

(b) rock phosphate

(c) coking coal

(d) All of the above

C M CAA

EN

Saltpetre and rockphosphate are not utilized by

majority Steel companies in India. Further, India is a

producer of saltpetre and usually does not import

this product in large quantity

59 Polity

The provisions in Fifth Schedule

and Sixth Schedule in the

Constitution of India are made

in order to

(a) protect the interests of

Scheduled Tribes

(b) determine the boundaries

between States

(c) determine the powers,

authority and responsibilities

of Panchayats

(d) protect the interests of all

the border States

A E F

LAXMIKANTH PG

33.1( Third Edition)

RM

Fifth Schedule: Administration and control of

Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes(areas and

tribes needing special protection due to

disadvantageous conditions). Sixth Schedule:

Provisions for the administration of tribal areas in

Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram.

60 Economy

With reference to the Union

Government, consider the

following statements:

1. The Department of Revenue

is responsible for the

preparation of Union Budget

that is presented to the

Parliament.

2. No amount can be

withdrawn from the

Consolidated Fund of India

without the authorization from

the Parliament of India.

C M F

LAXMIKANTH PG

289 ( Fourth

Edition)

EM

Department of Economic Affairs prepares the Budget.

Public Accounts includes provident fund deposits,

judicial deposits, savings bank

deposits, departmental deposits, remittances and so

on. This account is operated by executive action, that

is, the payments from this account can by made

without parliamentary appropriation. Such payments

are mostly in the nature of banking transactions. So

only second statement is correct.

Fundamental


3. All the disbursements made

from Public Account also need

the authorization from the

Parliament of India.


above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

61 Polity

Who/Which of the following is

the custodian of the

Constitution of India?

(a) The President of India

(b) The Prime Minister of India

(c) The Lok Sabha Secretariat

(d) The Supreme Court of India

D M F

CBSE LEGAL

STUDIES PAGE 165

Unit 4 CHAPTER 1

RF

Parliamentary democracy as envisaged in the

Constitution of India works, at Union and State level.

Especially in the making of law, there is direct

participation of the legislature and the executive. It is

the judiciary that safeguards the interest of citizens

by not allowing the other organs to go beyond their

role assigned in the Constitution. In brief, the

Supreme Court of India is the logical and primary

custodian of the Indian Constitution, while also being

its interpreter and guardian. Parliament enjoys

the authority to amend the Constitution; the

Supreme Court has the authority to examine the

validity of constitutional amendments. The Supreme

Court ensures that the other branches of government

perform their responsibilities in accordance with the

Constitution

Fundamental

Question

62 Economy


statements:

1. The Accelerated Irrigation

Benefits Programme was

launched during 1996-97 to

provide loan assistance to poor

farmers.

2. The Command Area

Development Programme was

launched in 1974-75 for the

development of water-use

efficiency.



(a) 1 only

B D FA

http://wrmin.nic.in

/forms/list.aspx?lid

=399

http://wrmin.nic.in

/forms/list.aspx?lid

=411

RM

Central Govt., during 1996-97, launched an

Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) to

provide Central Loan Assistance (CLA) to

major/medium irrigation projects in the country, with

the objective to accelerate the implementation of

those projects which were beyond resource

capability of the states or were in advanced stage of

completion.

Government of India initiated a Centrally Sponsored

Command Area Development Programme (CADP) in

December 1974 to improve irrigation potential

utilisation and optimise agricultural production from

irrigated land through integrated and coordinated

approach of efficient water management.


(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

63 Environment

The Genetic Engineering

Appraisal Committee is

constituted under the

(a) Food Safety and Standards

Act, 2006

(b) Geographical Indications of

Goods (Registration and

Protection) Act, 1999

(c) Environment (Protection)

Act, 1986

(d) Wildlife (Protection) Act,

1972

C E CAA

http://envfor.nic.in

/major-

initiatives/geac-

clearances

EN

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)

is the apex body constituted in the Ministry of

Environment and Forests under 'Rules for

Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of

Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered

Organisms or Cells 1989', under the Environment

Protection Act, 1986.

GEAC has been

frequently in

news since last

few years

http://www.the

hindubusinesslin

e.com/news/nati

onal/maharashtr

a-approves-field-

trials-for-four-

gm-

crops/article683

9527.ece

64 Current

Affairs

In the Mekong-Ganga

Cooperation, an initiative of six

countries, which of the

following is/are not

a participant/ participants?

1. Bangladesh

2. Cambodia

3. China

4. Myanmar

5. Thailand



(a) 1 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 1, 2 and 5

C M CAA

http://www.thehin

dubusinessline.co

m/opinion/story-

of-four-lost-

regional-

groupings/article6

975236.ece

EN

The Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) forum

encompasses the six riparian countries of the

Mekong and Ganga (Cambodia, India, Laos,

Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam). The original

promoter was Thailand. In 2000, the countries met in

Vientiane and agreed to cooperate in the fields of

tourism, education, human resource development,

culture, communication, and transport.

http://www.the

hindubusinesslin

e.com/opinion/s

tory-of-four-lost-

regional-

groupings/article

6975236.ece

65 Economy

'Basel III Accord' or simply

'Basel III' often seen in the

new, seeks to

(a) develop national strategies

for the conservation and

sustainable use of biological

diversity

(b) improve banking sector's

ability economic stress and

B M CA

http://www.thehin

dubusinessline.co

m/money-and-

banking/rbi-issues-

norms-for-bank-

leverage-ratio-

under/article67684

14.ece

http://www.thehin

EN

Basel III is a global, voluntary regulatory framework

on bank capital adequacy, stress testing and market

liquidity risk.

In news


improve risk management

(c) reduce the greenhouse gas

emissions but places a heavier

burden on developed countries

(d) transfer technology from

developed countries to poor

countries to enable them to

replace the use of

chlorofluorocarbons in

refrigeration with harmless

chemicals

du.com/todays-

paper/tp-

business/basel-iii-

capital-norms-

revised/article6370

951.ece

66 Geography


statements:

1. The winds which blow

between 30 N and 60 S

latitudes throughout the year

are known as westerlies.

2. The moist air masses that

cause winter rains in North-

Western region of India are

part of westerlies.



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

B M FA

Ncert Class 11th

India Physical

Environment

Page 35-36

EN

Westerlies are prevailing winds from the west toward

the east in the middle latitudes between 30 and 60

degrees latitude. Western Disturbance occurs in

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal to describe an

extratropical storm originating in the Mediterranean,

that brings sudden winter rain and snow to the

northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent. This is

a non-monsoonal precipitation pattern driven by the

Westerlies.

67 Current

Affairs

With reference to the 'Indian

Ocean Rim Association for

Regional Cooperation (IOR-

ARC)', consider the following

statements:

1. It was established very

recently in response to

incidents of piracy and

accidents of oil spills.

2. It is an alliance meant for

maritime security only.



(a) 1 only

D M CAA

http://mea.gov.in/i

n-focus-

article.htm?20707/

Indian+Ocean+Rim

+Association+for+R

egional+Cooperati

on+IORARC EN

IOR-ARC, a regional cooperation initiative of the

Indian Ocean Rim countries, was established in

Mauritius in March 1997 with the aim of promoting

economic and technical cooperation. IOR-ARC is the

only pan-Indian ocean grouping. It brings together

countries from three continents having different

sizes, economic strengths, and a wide diversity of

languages, cultures. It aims to create a platform for

trade, socio-economic and cultural cooperation in the

Indian Ocean rim area, which constitutes a

population of about two billion people.

Important due to

maritime

security of India


(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

68 Modern

History


movements has contributed to

a split in the Indian National

Congress resulting in the

emergence of 'moderates' and

'extremists'?

(a) Swadeshi Movement

(b) Quit India Movement

(c) Non-Cooperation

Movement

(d) Civil Disobedience

Movement

A E F

Spectrum pg 89

RM

Surat split of 1907 was the result of differences from

bengal partition protest strategy

Fundamental

69 Geography

In a particular region in India,

the local people train the roots

of living trees into robust

bridges across the streams. As

the time passes, these bridges

become stronger. These

unique 'living root bridges' are

found in

(a) Meghalaya

(b) Himachal Pradesh

(c) Jharkhand

(d) Tamil Nadu

A M CA

http://www.thehin

du.com/todays-

paper/tp-

features/tp-

youngworld/living-

root-bridges-of-

meghalaya/article4

162886.ece

EN

Roots of the rubber tree — Ficus Elastica are the

pavements for these natural bridges in the thick

forests of Khasi Hills district. It is interesting to note

that the districts in Meghalaya are named after the

tribes in that area, like East Garo Hills district, West

Jaitia Hills district and so on. Strong secondary roots

of this rubber tree are manipulated to grow

horizontally through the tunnels of hollowed betel

nut trunks across the fast flowing rivers

70 Geography

Tides occur in the oceans and

seas due to which among the

following?

1. Gravitational force of the

Sun

2. Gravitational force of the

Moon

3. Centrifugal force of the Earth



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

D E F

Ncert Class 11th

Fundamental of

Physical

Geography

Page 121

EM

The periodical rise and fall of the sea level, once or

twice a day ,mainly due to attraction of Sun and

Moon. Another factor is centrifugal force, which is

the force that acts to counter balance the gravity.

Fundamental


71 Geography

In which of the following

activities are Indian Remote

Sensing (IRS) satellites used?

1. Assessment of crop

productivity

2. Locating groundwater

resources

3. Mineral exploration

4. Telecommunications

5. Traffic studies



(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 4 and 5 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

A M CAA

http://www.isro.go

v.in/applications

Basic reference

material on

Science tech

EM

The Indian Space programme has two major

operational systems – the Indian National Satellite

(INSAT) which is a geostationary satellite is used for

telecommunication, television broadcasting, and

meteorological services and the Indian Remote

Sensing Satellite (IRS) for monitoring and

management of natural resources (e.g. locating

ground water resources, mineral exploration etc.)

and Disaster Management Support.

72 Geography

Consider the following States:

1. Arunachal Pradesh

2. Himachal Pradesh

3. Mizoram

In which of the above States do

'Tropical Wet Evergreen

Forests' occur?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

C M FA

Ncert Class 11th

India Physical

Environment

Page 58

EM

In India, evergreen forests are found on the eastern

and western slopes of the Western Ghats in such

states as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and

Maharashtra. And also found in Assam, Arunachal

Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, West Bengal

and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

73 Current

Affairs

The term 'IndARC', sometimes

in the news, is the name of

(a) an indigenously developed

radar system inducted into

Indian Defence

(b) India's satellite to provide

services to the countries of

Indian Ocean Rim

(c) a scientific establishment

set up by India in Antarctic

region

(d) India's underwater

observatory to scientifically

study the Arctic region

D M CA

http://www.thehin

du.com/sci-

tech/energy-and-

environment/india

s-arctic-

observatory-to-aid-

climate-change-

studies/article6405

727.ece

EN

The deployment of IndARC, the country’s first

underwater moored observatory in the Kongsfjorden

fjord, half way between Norway and the North Pole,

represents a major milestone in India’s scientific

endeavours in the Arctic region. The observatory is

anchored at a depth of 192 m and has an array of 10

state-of-the-art oceanographic sensors strategically

positioned at various depths in the water.


74 Current

Affairs

With reference to 'Forest

Carbon Partnership Facility',

which of the following


1. It is a global partnership of

governments, businesses, civil

society and indigenous

peoples.

2. It provides financial aid to

universities, individual

scientists and institutions

involved in scientific forestry

research to develop eco-

friendly and climate adaptation

technologies for sustainable

forest management.

3. It assists the countries in

their 'REDD+ (Reducing

Emissions from Deforestation

+)' efforts by providing them

which financial and technical

assistance.



(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

C D CAA

https://www.fores

tcarbonpartnership

.org/

EN

he Forest Carbon Partnership Facility is a global

partnership of governments, businesses, civil society,

and Indigenous Peoples focused on reducing

emissions from deforestation and forest degradation,

forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable

management of forests, and the enhancement of

forest carbon stocks in developing countries

The four strategic objectives of the FCPF:

To assist countries in their REDD+ efforts by providing

them with financial and technical assistance in

building their capacity to benefit from possible future

systems of positive incentives for REDD+.

To pilot a performance-based payment system for

REDD+ activities, with a view to ensuring equitable

benefit sharing and promoting future large-scale

positive incentives for REDD+.

Within the approach to REDD+, to test ways to

sustain or enhance livelihoods of local communities

and to conserve biodiversity.

To disseminate broadly the knowledge gained in the

development of the Facility and the implementation

of Readiness Preparation Proposals (RPPs) and

Emission Reductions Programs (ERPs).

FCPF grants fund to developing countries but not to

to universities, individual scientists and institutions.

75 Current

Affairs

Which one of the following was

given classical language status

recently?

(a) Odia

(b) Konkani

(c) Bhojpuri

(d) Assamese

A E CA

http://www.thehin

du.com/news/nati

onal/odia-gets-

classical-language-

status/article57090

28.ece

EN

Odia is billed as the first language from the Indo-

Aryan linguistic group and the case for making it a

classical language was also premised on the fact that

it has no resemblance to Hindi, Sanskrit, Bengali and

Telugu.

Classical

Language is an

important topic

for UPSC

examination

76 Environment

With reference to an

organization known as 'BirdLife

International', which of the


correct?

1. It is a Global Partnership of

Conservation Organizations.

2. The concept of 'biodiversity

C M CAA

http://www.birdlif

e.org/

EN

The British biologist Norman Myers coined the term

"biodiversity hotspot" in 1988

in news,

http://www.the

hindu.com/news

/cities/kolkata/o

penbilled-storks-

flock-to-

raiganj/article67

47797.ece


hotspots' originated from this

organization.

3. It identifies the sites

known/referred to as

'Important Bird and

Biodiversity Areas'.



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

http://www.the

hindu.com/sci-

tech/energy-

and-

environment/an

gry-birds-in-a-

real-

battle/article715

9361.ece

77 Geography


countries of South-West Asia

does not open out to the

Mediterranean Sea?

(a) Syria

(b) Jordan

(c) Lebanon

(d) Israel

B M F

Any Standard Atlas

RM

http://www.the

hindu.com/opini

on/editorial/a-

looming-

refugee-

crisis/article7326

417.ece

78 Geography

In India, in which one of the

following types of forests is

teak a dominant tree species?

(a) Tropical moist deciduous

forest

(b) Tropical rain forest

(c) Tropical thorn scrub forest

(d) Temperate forest with

grasslands

A E F

Ncert Class 11th

India Physical

Environment

Page 59

EN

The Moist deciduous forests are more pronounced in

the regions which record rainfall between 100-200

cm. These forests are found in the northeastern

states along the foothills of Himalayas, eastern slopes

of the Western Ghats and Odisha. Teak, sal, shisham,

hurra, mahua, amla, semul, kusum, and sandalwood

etc. are the main species of these forests.

Basic question

from NCERT

79 Current

Affairs

'Beijing Declaration and

Platform for Action', often seen

in the news, is

(a) a strategy to tackle the

regional terrorism, an outcome

of a meeting of the Shanghai

Cooperation Organization

(b) a plan of action for

sustainable economic growth

in the Asia-Pacific Region, an

outcome of the deliberations

of the Asia-Pacific Economic

C M CA

http://www.un.org

/womenwatch/da

w/followup/sessio

n/presskit/hist.htm

EN

The Fourth World Conference on Women held in

Beijing in 1995. The legacy of the Beijing Conference

was to be that it sparked a renewed global

commitment to the empowerment of women

everywhere and drew unprecedented international

attention. The Conference unanimously adopted the

Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, that was

in essence an agenda for women's empowerment

and stands as a milestone for the advancement of

women in the twenty-first century.

http://www.the

hindu.com/news

/india-admits-to-

gender-

inequalities-in-

beijing-plus-20-

review/article66

03307.ece


Forum

(c) an agenda for women's

empowerment, an outcome of

a World Conference convened

by the United Nations

(d) a strategy to combat

wildlife trafficking, a

declaration of the East Asia

Summit

80 Geography

"Each day is more or less the

same, the morning is clear and

bright with a sea breeze; as the

Sun climbs high in the sky, heat

mounts up, dark clouds form,

then rain comes with thunder

and lightning. But rain is soon

over."

Which of the following regions

is described in the above

passage?

(a) Savannah

(b) Equatorial

(c) Monsoon

(d) Mediterranean

B M F

EM

Wet equatorial climate, is characterized by

consistently high temperatures (around 30 °C [86

°F]), with plentiful precipitation (150–1,000 cm [59–

394 inches]) on most afternoons., heavy cloud cover,

and high humidity, with very little annual

temperature variation. Wet equatorial regions lie

within about 12° latitude of the Equator.

81 Economy


economy, consider the


1. The rate of growth of Real

Gross Domestic Product has

steadily increased in the last

decade.

2. The Gross Domestic Product

at market prices (in rupees) has

steadily increased in the last

decade.



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

B D CAA

http://planningco

mmission.nic.in/da

ta/datatable/0814/

comp_databook.p

df

EM

Rate of growth of Real Gross Domestic Product has

fluctuated a lot during the last decade and decreased

significantly in 2008-09 due to global financial crisis.

Gross Domestic Product at market prices (in rupees)

has increased and did not show a declining treand

even once during the last decade as clearly seen from

the planning commission data


82 Polity


statements:

1. The Legislative Council of a

State in India can be larger in

size than half of the Legislative

Assembly of that particular

State.

2. The Governor of a State

nominates the Chairman of

Legislative Council of that

particular State.



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

D D FA

Article 171(1) and

article 172

RM

http://www.tele

graphindia.com/

1150120/jsp/odi

sha/story_9248.j

sp#.Vdxe0fmqqk

o

83 Polity

"To uphold and protect the

Sovereignty, Unity and

Integrity of India" is a provision

made in the

(a) Preamble of the

Constitution

(b) Directive Principles of State

Policy

(c) Fundamental Rights

(d) Fundamental Duties

D E F

Laxmikant Polity

Fourth Edition Pg

135

EM

Article 51A (c) Fundamental

84 Environment


the best description of the

term 'ecosystem'?

(a) A community of organisms

interacting with one another

(b) That part of the Earth which

is inhabited by living organisms

(c) A community of organisms

together with the environment

in which they live

(d) The flora and fauna of a

geographical area

C E F

NCERT Class 12th

Biology Page 241

EM

An ecosystem includes all of the living things (plants,

animals and organisms) in a given area, interacting

with each other, and also with their non-living

environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate,

atmosphere).

Option (a) and

(d) looks very

close but option

(d) give more

appropriate

Explanation


85 Polity

The fundamental object of

Panchayati Raj system is to

ensure which among the

following?

1. People's participation in

development

2. Political accountability

3. Democratic decentralization

4. Financial mobilization



(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

C D FA

http://arc.gov.in/6-

1.pdf

http://www.panch

ayat.gov.in/

RR

To attain decentralised & participatory local self-

government is the fundamental objective of

Panchayatiraj. Although all can the statements can be

associated with Panchayatiraj but the most

appropriate answer should be 1 and 3

Fundamental

86 Economy


economy, consider the

following:

1. Bank rate

2. Open market operations

3. Public debt

4. Public Revenue

Which of the above is/are

component/components of

Monetary Policy?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1 and 2

(d) 1, 3 and 4

C M CAA

https://rbi.org.in/S

cripts/AnnualRepo

rtPublications.aspx

?Id=1121

EM

Over the last two decades, central banks have veered

round to conducting monetary policy through a single

short-term interest rate as a policy rate that it

controls through open market operations (OMOs).

These OMOs are conducted under an operating

framework that typically includes liquidity

infusion/absorption through repurchase agreements

(repos) or outright transactions in eligible securities

between the central bank and the market

participants. Public Revenue and debt are not part of

monetary policy. These are related to fiscal policy.

87 Economy

With reference to inflation in

India, which of the following

statements is correct?

(a) Controlling the inflation in

India is the responsibility of the

Government of India only

(b) The Reserve Bank of India

has no role in controlling the

inflation

(c) Decreased money

circulation helps in controlling

the inflation

C M CAA

http://www.thehin

du.com/opinion/le

ad/understanding-

inflation-

targeting/article66

70330.ece EN

RBI and government both play a role in controlling

the inflation, often termed as "inflation targeting" by

the RBI. Hence, a and b are incorrect. Increased

money circulation leads to increased inflation as

demand increases. RBI increases bank rates and SLR

etc. to reduce money supply in the market which

tames demand and hence, inflation.


(d) Increased money circulation

helps in controlling the

inflation

88 Current

Affairs


countries:

1. China

2. France

3. India

4. Israel

5. Pakistan

Which among the above are

Nuclear Weapons States as

recognized by the Treaty on

the Non-Proliferation of

Nuclear Weapons, commonly

known as Nuclear Non-

Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only

(c) 2, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

A M CAA

http://www.un.org

/disarmament/W

MD/Nuclear/NPT.s

html

EN

At present, 189 states plus Taiwan are parties to the

NPT. These include all five declared Nuclear Weapons

States (NWS) which had manufactured and exploded

a nuclear weapon before 1967: China, France, the

Russian Federation, the UK and the USA. The main

countries remaining outside the NPT are Israel, India

and Pakistan, though North Korea has moved to join

them.

89 Polity

The ideal of 'Welfare State' in

the Indian Constitution is

enshrined in its

(a) Preamble

(b) Directive Principles of State

Policy

(c) Fundamental Rights

(d) Seventh Schedule

B E F

Laxmikanth pg

7.29(3rd Edition)

RM

90 Economy

The substitution of steel for

wooden ploughs in agricultural

production is an example of

(a) labour-augmenting

technological progress

(b) capital-augmenting


(c) capital-reducing


(d) None of the above

B M FA

http://faculty.max

well.syr.edu/jomcp

eak/ppa%20757/T

heories%20of%20

Development.htm

RR

Labor augmenting is technology that increases skills

and productivity of existing labor force (example -

teaching people how to use the computer). Capital

augmenting technology increases productivity of

existing capital goods. In this case, replacement of

wooden by steel, increases the productivity of plough


91 Polity

There is a Parliamentary

System of Government in India

because the

(a) Lok Sabha is elected directly

by the people

(b) Parliament can amend the

Constitution

(c) Rajya Sabha cannot be

dissolved

(d) Council of Ministers is

responsible to the Lok Sabha

D M F

Laxmikant Polity

Fourth Edition Pg

149

EM

This is the bedrock principle of parliamentary

government. The

ministers are collectively responsible to the

Parliament in general and to the Lok Sabha in

particular

(Article 75)

92 Current

Affairs

H1N1 virus is sometimes

mentioned in the news with

reference to which one of the

following diseases?

(a) AIDS

(b) Bird flu

(c) Dengue

(d) Swine flu

D E CA

http://www.thehin

du.com/opinion/e

ditorial/india-

flounders-as-h1n1-

spreads/article702

8788.ece

EN

H1N1 is cause of Swine flu In news

93 Current

Affairs

With reference to bio-toilets

used by the Indian Railways,

consider the following

statements:

1. The decomposition of

human waste in the bio-toilets

in initiated by a fungal

inoculum.

2. Ammonia and water vapour

are the only end products in

this decomposition which are

released into the atmosphere.



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

D M CAA

http://www.thehin

du.com/todays-

paper/tp-

national/biotoilets-

for-all-trains-in-5-

years/article70386

28.ece

EN

Statement 1 is incorrect as it is Anaerobic microbial

inoculum. Statement 2 is incorrect as Bio Digester

disposes human waste in 100% eco-friendly manner

and generates color less, odorless water and

inflammable Methane- Gas for cooking, water

heating & room heating etc. as a by product.

In news

94 Economy

The problem of international

liquidity is related to the non-

availability of

(a) goods and services

C M CA

http://www.invest

orwords.com/1764

6/international_liq

uidity.html

RM

Refers to the adequacy of a country's, or the world's,

international reserves. Under the Bretton Woods

System, liquidity was a problem, since it depended on

US dollars and thus a US deficit.


(b) gold and silver

(c) dollars and other hard

currencies

(d) exportable surplus

95 Science and

Technology

With reference to 'fuel cells' in

which hydrogen-rich fuel and

oxygen are used to generate

electricity, consider the


1. If pure hydrogen is used as a

fuel, the fuel cell emits heat

and water as by-products.

2. Fuel cells can be used for

powering buildings and not for

small devices like laptop

computers.

3. Fuel cells produce electricity

in the form of Alternating

Current (AC).



(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

A D CAA

EN

Fuel cells produce direct current and smaller versions

are being patented regularly. Apple has obtained

such patents too.

http://www.the

hindu.com/toda

ys-paper/tp-

national/csir-

experts-study-

how-cars-can-

run-on-

air/article71824

56.ece

http://venturebe

at.com/2015/03/

17/apple-

patents-fuel-cell-

power-source-

for-phones-

laptops/

96 Culture

Kalamkari painting refers to

(a) a hand-painted cotton

textile in South India

(b) a handmade drawing on

bamboo handicrafts in North-

East India

(c) a block-painted woollen

cloth in Western Himalayan

region of Inndia

(d) a hand-painted decorative

silk cloth in North-Western

India

A M F

http://www.nios.a

c.in/media/docum

ents/secichcour/en

glish/ch.11.pdf

EM

Kalamkari painting is a painting done by Kalam (Pen)

in Andhra Pradesh it is done on cotton garments, bad

covers etc.

In news

97 Economy


best describes the main

objective of 'Seed Village

Concept'?

(a) Encouraging the farmers to

use their own farm seeds and

B M CA

http://www.archiv

e.india.gov.in/citiz

en/agriculture/vie

wscheme.php?sch

emeid=1801

EM

Foundation class of seed from authentic sources will

be supplied to the identified farmers and they will be

empowered to take up multiplication of seed under

seed Village Programme. The seed so produced will

meet the requirement of farmers of the mandal

/district. This Programme ensures supply of quality

http://www.the

hindu.com/sci-

tech/science/onl

y-a-ready-seed-

market-can-

help-conserve-


discouraging them to buy the

seeds from others

(b) Involving the farmers for

training in quality seed

production and thereby to

make available quality seeds to

others at appropriate time and

affordable cost

(c) Earmarking some villages

exclusively for the production

of certified seeds

(d) Identifying the

entrepreneurs in villages and

providing them technology and

finance to set up seed

companies

certified seed of high yielding varieties to the farmers

in time at their places at affordable prices besides

ensuring quick multiplication of new seed varieties in

a shorter time in that mandal/district based on the

crop situation.

traditional-

crops/article621

8015.ece

98 Economy

There has been a persistent

deficit budget year after year.

Which of the following actions

can be taken by the

government to reduce the

deficit?

1. Reducing revenue

expenditure

2. Introducing new welfare

schemes

3. Rationalizing subsidies

4. Expanding industries



(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

A M FA

EM

Budget deficit is used to define a status of financial

health in which expenditures exceed revenue.

Reducing the revenue expenditure will certainly help

in bridging the gap. Subsidies are a part of

expenditure and rationalizing them would reduce the

deficit.

Introducing new welfare schemes will most likely

result in increasing expenditure and so will expanding

industries which would require capital infusion.

http://www.the

hindu.com/busin

ess/Economy/su

bsidies-to-be-

rationalised-

joint-session-on-

insurance-arun-

jaitley/article681

1966.ece

99 Current

Affairs


has/have been accorded

'Geographical Indication'

status?

1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees

2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma

3. Tirupathi Laddu

C M CA

http://www.thehin

dubusinessline.co

m/news/variety/tir

upati-laddu-gets-

stern-with-

imitators/article57

43644.ece

EN

Statement 1 and 3 are correct. GI tag of Banaras

sarees in news

because of PM

visit and related

news. Tirupati

Laddus were in

news due to




(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

http://timesofindia

.indiatimes.com/cit

y/varanasi/Varanas

i-stole-presented-

to-

PM/articleshow/48

399682.cms

series of

litigations over

last few years

100 Current

Affairs

With reference to the Indian

Renewable Energy

Development Agency Limited

(IREDA), which of the following


1. It is a Public Limited

Government Company.

2. It is a Non-Banking Financial

Company.



(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

C D CAA

http://www.ireda.

gov.in

http://www.thehin

du.com/business/

what-are-green-

bonds/article7070

840.ece/

EN

IREDA is a Public Limited Government Company

established as a Non-Banking Financial Institution in

1987 under the administrative control of MNRE to

promote, develop and extend financial assistance for

renewable energy and energy efficiency

/conservation projects. Both the statements are

correct.

IREDA was in

news because

of-Green Bonds

and Miniratna

status awarded

to it.


Observations

• The Paper portrayed a departure from the trend of last 4 years. While many traditional questions were from non-traditional sources and inferential, many

current affairs questions were very simple and straight forward eg NITI Ayog, Jandhan Yojna etc

• Paper was more factual compared to papers of CSAT era.

• More focus on current affairs as many questions were inspired from news. Instead of linking the current affairs to concepts it was more on factual side.

• Proportion of unapproachable questions remained on similar trends as previous year.

• Polity has moved towards traditional concepts compared to last year trend of is moving towards governance and public administration type questions.

• Some economy questions were on the lines of 2013 paper i.e. conceptual and analytical.

• Deceptive presentation is a common method to segregate deep knowledge with superficial knowledge or hunch. This technique was used in many questions.

• Some questions were too easy (E.g. Fortaleza declaration, H1N1 etc). This does not mean that we should not have proper knowledge of topic (Eg. NFC required

complete knowledge of the topic).

• Pointers for most of the questions could be traced to The Hindu but as recommended earlier, in the age of internet, complete knowledge of topic is expected

(CSB issue was in news consistently, TFA issue led to the question about AoA of WTO).

Recommendations:

• Read Basic/standard books, one Good News Paper (like The Hindu) and use internet extensively as almost 80% questions could be attempted with this

combination.

• Have keen perception about things going around you and assume less and less. After reading newspaper always clarify key terms from internet or books or

teachers.

• Read one good book on each traditional subjects this will help in prelims, mains and interview i.e. all stages of examination. This will also help in making some

unapproachable question approachable.

• This year with the inclusion of factual questions and state civil service/State Services type one liners, it is advisable to be ready for analytical and factual

questions at the same time. It is expected that UPSC will not ask irrelevant facts (Date on which someone died type asked in state civil service) but important

facts should not be ignored.

• Do not ignore your strong areas to do research in weak areas. You should be able to answer most of the questions from your strong areas.

• Nearly 60% of the questions were very basic which could have been answered by reading elementary books and newspapers. Strategy should be to avoid

negative marking in tough questions and maximize your score by first finding the easy ones and completing them.

• Read questions carefully and use elimination technique wherever possible.


CA CAA F FA Grand Total

Culture 2 1 3

Current Affairs 10 13 23

Economy 4 7 2 5 18

Environment 2 5 5 1 13

Geography 1 2 6 5 14

Medieval History 2 2 4

Modern History 5 3 8

Polity 8 3 11

science and technology

1 4 1 6

Grand Total 18 31 30 21 100

0

5

10

15

20

25

Column 1

Section wise Nature

FA

F

CAA

CA


EM EN RM RR Grand Total

Culture 1 2 3

Current Affairs 2 21 23

Economy 9 5 3 1 18

Environment 4 9 13

Geography 9 4 1 14 Medieval History 1 2 1 4 Modern History 4 4 8

Polity 5 4 2 11

science and technology 6 6

Grand Total 35 45 16 4 100

0

5

10

15

20

25

Column 1

Section wise Difficulty

M

E

D


EM 35

EN 45

RM 16

RR 4

Grand Total 100

35%

45%

16%

4%

Source Type

EM

EN

RM

RR


D 22

E 23

M 55

Grand Total 100

22%

23%

55%

Difficulty

D

E

M


CA 18

CAA 31

F 30

FA 21

Grand Total 100

18%

31%30%

21%

Nature

CA

CAA

F

FA


Nature of Question F: Fundamental, Conventional and conceptual question which is easily available in commonly recommended books. If a current affairs source is mentioned then it

indicate that you had one more reason to prepare this

FA: Fundamental Applied question is an analytical question which require information + application of mind.

Answer to these question are from commonly recommended books but not so obvious to find.

CA: Current affair question which can be answered almost completely using given source alone.

CAA(Current affair Applied): Current affair question which needs information from more than one source to answer AND/OR application of mind(common sense

and overall understanding) of aspirant. This is why source for these question may not be answering question completely.

FCA (Fundamental + Current affair): This is a F or FA question supplemented with current affairs or a current affairs question that needs background information for

complete answer. Source to these question might not answer question in entirety.

U (unconventional question): unconventional question means the question that is distantly related to syllabus provided by UPSC. It is neither present in even

reference sources(in addition to recommended books) nor prominently in news.

EM = Essential material like basic books etc.

RM = Reference material

EN = Essential News/Current Affairs

RR = Random Read like random website etc.

E : Easy , M : Medium , D : Difficult

Documents

ANALYSIS / APPROACH / SOURCE / STRATEGY: GENERAL … · made any recommendation concerning sector specific-grants unlike the Thirteenth Finance Commission. The Finance Commission